“Have In Mind The Things Of God!”

“Have In Mind The Things Of God!”(Mk.8:31-38).
Welcome to Day two of Lent 2023.
As his time drew near to exit the stage, Jesus taught his disciples about how he “must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.”
When we look at the people who will be responsible for Jesus’ death, “Murder in the Cathedral ” becomes child’s play. We can also say that David Yallop’s “In God’s Name” is just a replay of an old religious story that has been dramatized in different versions beginning from Jesus himself!
Yes, the pain offerers and killers are never from outside. They are always there, convincing the majority that what they are doing is service to the LORD.
Indeed, it is service to the LORD; except that they do not know what they are doing. Even Peter did not understand this route of service to the LORD!
Peter, like the rest of us did not want a dead Messiah! He took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him. How myopic Peter could be! Did he hear well the last part “and after three days will rise again?”
For Peter it was glory without a cross. But Jesus in turn rebuked Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
In a way, Jesus’ rebuking words to Peter is a lesson to us that Christians interested only in comfortable Christianity do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.
Being a follower of Christ entails self-denial and the readiness to die for the sake of the gospel.
There is no gain to gain the world and forfeit your soul, and there is nothing one can give in exchange for his/her soul. We should not be ashamed to own our Lord and to identify with him.
Dear friend, there is no better time than Lent to practice self-denial and empty ourselves to the Lord through sacrificial service to others. And also to give up the pleasures of this world, in pursuit of a better world to be spent with Christ wherever he is.
Prayer: Holy Spirit help me to have in mind the things of God and not the things of men. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.